TBT-TRADITIONAL BACKGAMMON TOUR & TWO-DAY BOOT CAMP

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Masayuki Mochy Mochizuki
Two-Day Boot Camp Director

Masayuki “Mochy” Mochizuki, widely regarded as the greatest backgammon player of his era, boasts an extraordinary journey from Tokyo-born enthusiast to global Grandmaster and ambassador of the game. Starting his international career in 2001, Mochy quickly rose to the pinnacle of backgammon excellence.
Renowned for his innovative and effective teaching techniques, Mochy has mentored countless players to success. Fluent in both Japanese and English, he shares his profound understanding of backgammon strategy with players worldwide, specializing in areas such as cube mastery and advanced tactics.
Mochy’s competitive record is unparalleled, with victories at premier events including two World Championship titles (2009, 2021), multiple Ultimate Backgammon Championships, and countless prestigious tournaments across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Recognized as a Super Grandmaster by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB), he achieved a groundbreaking performance rating (PR) under 2.5, setting a global standard for excellence.
As a dedicated advocate for the game, Mochy continues to shape the backgammon world through teaching, lecturing in over 20 countries, and co-authoring Master Class, a cornerstone text for serious players. His contributions extend beyond the board, inspiring and empowering the global backgammon community with his skill, wisdom, and passion.

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TOURNAMENT BROCHURE

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The 1st Miami Open Championship will offer a Two-Day Backgammon Boot Camp to master the cube and professional tournament play.
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The Two-Day Boot Camp will concentrate on mastering the doubling cube and delving into American tournament play. 
This Boot Camp is crafted for participants with a foundational understanding of backgammon gameplay. Despite their proficiency in checker play and familiarity with Tavla (a Middle-Eastern version of backgammon), many participants lack experience in utilizing the doubling cube or engaging in American local or national tournaments adhering to USBGF Rules. Catering to all ages, the program aims to elevate players' skills and tackle the challenging realm of the doubling cube, a pivotal yet often overlooked aspect where many falter.

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​Activities

Interactive Cube Scenarios:
Work through pre-defined board scenarios on a projector, analyzing the best use of the cube based on the current position and potential outcomes. Students discuss and debate the reasoning behind each decision.

Cube Practice Games:​
Students play short practice games with a strong focus on using the doubling cube strategically throughout the games. Analyze each game afterward, discussing the impact of cube decisions on the outcome.

Mock Tournament Play:​
Students participate in a simulated backgammon tournament using the learned cube strategies. Encourage cube usage throughout the games and analyze the impact on final standings.

Match Play Quiz:
Students participate in a quiz with different positions at different scores, focusing solely on cube usage. Analyze each position’s turning point based on doubling decisions and relevant scores. ​

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​Lectures​

1. Introduction to the Doubling Cube: Understand the mechanism of the doubling cube and its impact on the stakes of the game. Discuss the take point for unlimited games and how it is derived.
2. Evaluating Cube Positions: Learn to analyze board positions and identify situations where doubling or accepting a double becomes strategically advantageous.
3. The Cube as Your Weapon (and Bluffing Tool): Explore how the cube can be used for psychological warfare and to influence your opponent's decisions.
4. The Jacoby Rule: Introduce a rule for faster in-game cube decision-making.
5. Too Good to Double: Introduce the risk and reward to consider when thinking of playing for the gammon while holding the cube.
6. Advanced Cube: Explore the difference between dead cube and live cube and their take points followed by explaining how the true take point is derived.
7. Championship Play: Introduce the basic requirements and expectations, including but not limited to, the use of dice cups, baffle box, precision dice, clocks, behavioral standards, following USBGF rules and more.
8. Introduction to Tournament Play: Discuss the mechanism of tournament play, the difference from unlimited games, and the needed adjustments.
9. Tournament Strategies: Learn how to handle the cube effectively in tournament play, considering factors like cube position, win probability, and take points.
10. The Crawford Rule: Introduce the Crawford Rule, and a mathematical guideline for deciding when to double based on the win probability and current score.
11. Unique Scores: Explore unique scores such as Gammon-Go, Gammon-Save, and Double Match Point. Understand the implications on the value of the gammon and the resulting strategy.
12. Advanced Cube Play in Tournaments: Explore how cube mastery is crucial for success in backgammon tournaments. Develop strategies for cube usage considering match play formats and point differentials.
13. Case Studies from Pro Games: Analyze real-world examples of how professional players use the cube to gain an edge and secure victories in high-profile matches.

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​Additional Resources:​

• Provide a handout summarizing key doubling cube concepts and decision-making frameworks.
• Recommend books and online resources dedicated to backgammon cube strategy.
• Encourage students to analyze high-level backgammon matches and observe how championship level players use the cube.

​Considerations:

• This curriculum can be adjusted based on the participants' experience level.
• Utilize backgammon software or online platforms that allow practicing cube decisions.
• Emphasize the importance of risk assessment and calculated decision making when using the cube.
• Create a competitive yet supportive environment where students can learn from each other's cube play.
• The Boot Camp activities will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three.
• The winners of the Match Play Quiz will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three.

By following this curriculum, your Backgammon Cube-Play Boot Camp will equip participants with advanced doubling cube strategies and the confidence to leverage this powerful tool to their advantage in every game.

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Registration Fees:

• Two-Day Boot Camp and Match Play Quiz: $250
• The Boot Camp activities will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three
• The winners of the Match Play Quiz will be graded with prizes awarded to the top three
• ​You don't need to bring a backgammon board
• Note that the $90/$45 tournament registration fee does not apply to the Boot Camp program​

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​Contact:

• Avi (Sheshbesh) Cohen / [email protected] / +1-786-999-2623

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register now - Spaces are limited

Tuesday, November 19th

Time	Event
9:00 AM	Registration Opens (pre-registration online is highly encouraged)
9:30 AM	Introduction
10:00 AM	Day 1: Demystifying the Cube Lecture: Introduction to the Doubling Cube Lecture: Evaluating Cube Positions Lecture: The Cube as Your Weapon  Interactive Cube Scenarios
1:00 PM	Lunch Break
2:00 PM	Lecture: The Jacoby Rule Lecture: Too Good to Double Lecture: ​Advanced Cube Cube Practice Games
6:30 PM	End of the day

Wednesday, November 20th

Time	Event
9:30 AM	Day 2: Advanced Cube Play and Tournament Play Lecture: Championship Play Lecture: Introduction to Tournament Play ​Lecture: Tournament Strategies Lecture: The Crawford Rule Lecture: Unique Scores​​ Mock Tournament Play
1:00 PM	Lunch Break
2:00 PM	Lecture: Advanced Cube Play in Tournaments Lecture: ​Case Studies from Pro Games
4:30 PM	Match Play Quiz Q&A ​Wrap-up
6:30 PM	Dinner Break
​​7:00 PM	​TBT (No Cube) Main Event Registration Closes
​​​7:30 PM	​​TBT (No Cube) Main Event Begins

TBT PROGRAM & TWO-DAY BOOT CAMP

TBT - Traditional Backgammon Tour NO-CUBE Main Event

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Do you have what it takes to compete with the world's best Traditional Tavla (Sheshbesh) players?The TBT No-Cube Main Event is set to take place just before the ABT Main Event. This is your chance to showcase your skills in a prestigious Two-Day traditional Backgammon tournament .​
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TBT NO-CUBE REGISTRATION

​​Get Ready For an Unforgettable Experience!

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